Canada and Switzerland have an enduring economic connection. Thanks in part to the European Free Trade Association/ EFTA . This also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Canadian trade to this region exceeds $5 billion per year. This Guide helps determine the best options shipping to Switzerland from Canada.
Over 100,000 Canadians of Swiss origin live in Canada, making it the fifth-largest Swiss community abroad. Canada and Switzerland exchange a large numbers of tourists, students and business leaders that depend on low cost parcel delivery.
This Canadian Shipping Guide to Switzerland explores of the main elements of international shipping between Canada to Switzerland.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for general information only.
There are several shipping options to Switzerland. The ideal option depends on the size and weight of your shipment. Other factors include nature of your goods and transit time. Here are some common shipping options that you might consider:
The cost of shipping to Switzerland depends on the shipment size and weight. The cost to send a package to Switzerland can be as low as around $37 via Canada Post surface.
The cost via commercial carriers varies according to your discount. The cost averages around $150 for 10 pounds.
The cheapest shipping option to Switzerland is via Canada Post international surface options.
With our shipping rate request form, you can discover the cheapest rates. Fill in the form below to estimate shipping costs to and from Canada. Compare shipping rates from other courier services. We respond personally and give advice different modes of shipping with logistics support.
Canada Post is the best option for individuals shipping personal items to Switzerland from Canada. Shipments sent via Canada Post import for delivery via Swiss Post.
Canada Post Delivery Shipping Services to Switzerland Include:
Canada post provides discounts for volume shippers to Switzerland. Contact our team to discuss direct airfreight shipping by consolidating your online orders to Switzerland and shipping direct airfreight from YUL, YYZ or YVR.
FedEx and UPS are North America's dominant couriers. Along with DHL, the offer reliable express delivery to Switzerland. Fill in form below to get a comparison price for your cargo to Switzerland.
FedEx and UPS Canada Services to Switzerland Include:
Jet Worldwide is a Canadian global brand providing international shipping solutions for over 40 years. Jet Worldwide offers options for shipping between Canada and Switzerland for parcels, pallets and online orders.
Get the best support for shipping to Switzerland.
Purolator Courier is a leading domestic carrier in Canada and offer international express delivery via partners - including UPS Canada. Purolator is a division of Canada Post.
For shipments from Canada to Switzerland CAD 2,000 and above (or otherwise with restrictions) require a Canadian export declaration.
Read more about Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS).
Less than container load (LCL) ocean shipping is best for shipping a pallet or several pallets to Switzerland. The transit time can vary but we recommend allowing 2 months lead time.
Full container shipping is best for larger commercial orders. Even if a container is not full, FCL can be cheaper. In addition, FCL transit time is faster. Goods that ship via FCL do not need time for loading and de-consolidation.
The best shipping option to Canada depends on several factors.In general, the lowest cost for personal packages to Switzerland is via the local post.
For heavier shipments, economy air freight is often the best option. Less than container load is best with shipping pallet freight and large commercial orders.
Useful information: Things to know about Ocean Shipping To and From Canada.
The default option for shipping internationally from Canada is Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU). Common carriers use the term Ex Works (EXW). This assigns all import costs to the importer. Shippers from Canada can choose to pay the import fees on behalf of the receiver. Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) is an option many carriers offer. IncoTerms and shipping terms for packages and online orders.
Import fees paid by the shipper are not recoverable. The importing business may otherwise be able to claim back VAT.
Here is some useful information we provide to help those wishing to send a parcel to Switzerland. Note: Customs processes are subject to change and the information below are for general information only. It is important to check with the consignee in Switzerland to confirm your shipment is in regulatory compliance.
Duty Calculation e-commerce imports for are on the classification,, use, and weight of the goods. The assessment basis is on the gross weight at the time of customs declaration. The actual gross weight may differ significantly from the weight on the waybill. See note below on duty free import effective 2024.
Apart from any import duty, goods are subject to value add tax (VAT). Value add tax amounts to 7,7% of the assessment basis. A lower rate of 2.5% applies for certain goods (such as, books and magazines).
Having the proper paperwork - including an invoice for customs - is important when sending your parcel to Switzerland. Parcels can be subject to additional fees if it cannot clear customs due to missing, unreliable or incomplete customs documents. Fees for storage can apply to consignments until the necessary information is complete. .
It is important to verify compliance with the consignee/ importer and regulatory authorities prior to shipping to Switzerland from Canada.
Goods to Switzerland are subject to customs duty and VAT on the CIF value.
Customs duties and tax do not apply if the amount is less than CHF 5.00 per customs declaration.
Effective 2024, Switzerland will abolish import duties on most industrial goods. This in addition to the simplification of the Swiss customs tariff codes. This reduces costs for both consumers and companies. Businesses need to adapt to new import processes.
With the broad classification of industrial goods under Swiss legislation, only agricultural and fishery products are outside this duty free import.
Canadian good to Switzerland stand to gain with lower cost to their Swiss customer.
In general goods sent from Canada to Switzerland via courier less than CHF 50 (around $60 CAD) can clear customs duty free.
Gifts sent from private individuals living abroad to private individuals in Switzerland are duty-free up to a goods value of CHF 100.00.
Notes on sending gifts to Switzerland from Canada:
It is important to note that, when assessing value, Swiss Customs considers the transport cost as part of the good’s value. Read more about correct valuation for customs
What value should you declare?
The upper limit of the goods value (incl. transport costs) for an import exempt from VAT is:
For goods with repair from abroad and are returning to Switzerland, VAT is only on the new material and the labour costs. However, these two elements must be on the commercial invoice.
Switzerland and Canada have a Free Trade Agreement via the European Free Trade Association/ EFTA (of which Switzerland is a member). Qualifying Canada origin goods can import duty free to Switzerland when with an origin declaration.
The origin declaration is in Articles 16 and 17 of Annex C to the Canada EFTA
Jet Worldwide provides a receiving address for online in Switzerland. Swiss consumers can order from Canadian Amazon, Simons, e-bay, and other Canadian retailers. Address the order to Jet. Jet can store the orders to consolidate and save shipping costs.
Jet Worldwide has best in class shipping solutions for Canada's leading e-commerce platforms and retailers.
Carrier options for shipping to Canada from Switzerland include Swiss Post, DHL, FedEx and UPS.
Swiss Post Shipping Options to Canada Include:
Common import fees for consignments via air to Canada can include duty, taxes and import fees. Understanding import fees to Canada.
Imports from Switzerland to Canada are subject to Canadian duty and taxes. Most consignments under $20 CAD can import free of duty and taxes. Imports under $3,300 CAD from Switzerland can import via Canadian customs low value shipment / LVS processes.
For imports not exceeding $3,300 to Canada, there is not a requirement for proof of origin. The requirement on the importer to maintain records remains. This applies even if the CBSA does not require proof at time of import
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) online portal streamlines the process of importing commercial goods to Canada. Read more about CARM
For Personal effects to Switzerland: For personal effects, all the goods have to be on the invoice in detail. Include individual values along with a written confirmation from consignee. The goods must be older than 6 months. New items do not qualify.
Shipping of excess baggage to Switzerland: Generally, it is simpler and easier to ship your personal effects as excess baggage when you travel. Excess baggage are often less expensive than shipping separately..
For shipping a full household, best to contact a moving specialists.
Companies and online sellers can benefit from shipping their orders direct to the USA - and via Canada. Read more about section 321 processes and contact our team for assistance in direct shipping and logistics support to the USA.
Jet Worldwide makes it easy for companies seeking for spot quotes for economy air shipping between Canada and Switzerland